Poly[(aqua­calcium)-μ4-pyrazine-2,3-di­carboxyl­ato]

The polymeric title compound, [Ca(C6H2N2O4)(H2O)]n, was synthesized from pyrazine-2,3-dicarb­oxy­lic acid and calcium dichloride under hydro­thermal conditions. The Ca2+ cation is seven-coordinated by five O atoms and one N atom of four pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxyl­ate anions, and one water mol­ecule. The complete deprotonated pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxyl­ate anion adopts a μ4-coordination mode, resulting in the formation of a three-dimensional structure

4-Thioxo-3,5-dithia-1,7-hepta­nedioic acid

The complete molecule of the title compound, C5H6O4S3, is generated by crystallographic twofold symmetry with the C=S group lying on the rotation axis. The molecules are linked through weak hydrogen-bond contacts by glide-plane operations to form R 2 2(20) rings and ladder-like C(4) chains along the c axis

Extraosseous (extramedullary) plasmacytomas: a clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic study of 32 Chinese cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Extraosseous plasmacytoma, so called extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is relatively rare in China. The aim was investigate the clinicopathologic features of EMP and the role of Immunophenotype and genotype detection in diagnosis of EMP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-two cases of EMP were investigated retrospectively by histopathology, immunophenotype, genotype and survival analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Clinically, the mean age of the patients was 53.4. Most of the patients received no treatment after the diagnosis was established, and the prognosis was relatively poor. Histologically, in 40% of the cases, the neoplastic cells were grade II or III. The neoplastic cells expressed one or more PC associated antigens. The immunophenotype of EMP and inflammation of sinonasal regions with numerous PC infiltrations were compared and showed some difference in expression of CD45, CD27, CD44v6 and Bcl-2 as well. Ig light chain restriction was detected in 87.5% of the cases.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>we described 32 Chinese cases of EMP, compare with that reported in the literature, some differences are presented, including higher percentage of grade II and III cases, clinically inconsistent treatment and management as well as poor outcome of the disease.</p

High remission and low relapse with prolonged intensive DMARD therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (PRINT): A multicenter randomized clinical trial

Objectives: To determine whether prolonged intensive disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment (PRINT) leads to high remission and low relapse rates in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: In this multicenter, randomized and parallel treatment trial, 346 patients with active RA (disease activity score (28 joints) [DAS28] (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) &gt; 5.1) were enrolled from 9 centers. In phase 1, patients received intensive treatment with methotrexate, leflunomide, and hydroxychloroquine, up to 36 weeks, until remission (DAS28 ≤ 2.6) or a low disease activity (2.6 &#60; DAS28 ≤ 3.2) was achieved. In phase 2, patients achieving remission or low disease activity were followed up with randomization to 1 of 2 step-down protocols: leflunomide plus hydroxychloroquine combination or leflunomide monotherapy. The primary endpoints were good European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response (DAS28 (ESR) &#60; 3.2 and a decrease of DAS28 by at least 1.2) during the intensive treatment and the disease state retention rate during step-down maintenance treatment. Predictors of a good EULAR response in the intensive treatment period and disease flare in the maintenance period were sought. Results: A good EULAR response was achieved in 18.7%, 36.9%, and 54.1% of patients at 12, 24, and 36 weeks, respectively. By 36 weeks, 75.4% of patients achieved good and moderate EULAR responses. Compared with those achieving low disease activity and a high health assessment questionnaire (HAQ &gt; 0.5), patients achieving remission (DAS28 ≤ 2.6) and low HAQ (≤ 0.5) had a significantly higher retention rate when tapering the DMARDs treatment (P = 0.046 and P = 0.01, respectively). There was no advantage on tapering to combination rather than monotherapy. Conclusions: Remission was achieved in a proportion of patients with RA receiving prolonged intensive DMARD therapy. Low disease activity at the start of disease taper leads to less subsequent flares. Leflunomide is a good maintenance treatment as single treatment